Poppies were a poignant sight across the Sid Valley as people united to pay their respects during the national time of remembrance.

A series of commemorative events began on Friday, November 7, with a service in Sidmouth Parish Church churchyard to lay crosses in a garden of remembrance.

Ex-serviceman Donald Richards said: “It means a lot to me. I come out every year.”

Reminiscing about his time serving in Kenya as part of Devon’s regiment, he said: “The comradeship back then was marvellous.”

Remembrance Sunday (November 9) dawned bright and sunny, as people, young and old, turned out in force to join the parade from Fore Street to the wall memorial.

Onlookers lined the streets of Sidmouth in a show of respect for those that served in wars and people who lost their lives.

The Reverend Canon Dr Philip Bourne conducted a service at the memorial, where a two-minute silence was observed.

There was a also special mention for the nine people from Sidmouth killed in World War One.

Dave O’Connor, chairman of Sidmouth’s Royal British Legion branch, said: “This year there was a tremendous amount of people.”

For the first time ever, all 10 bells of the parish church were rung half muffled before the service, creating a moving, echo effect in keeping with the occasion.

Mr Bourne said he felt remembrance events needed to include younger generations as well as older.

“I think it is important to be conscious of the need to remember all wars since the world wars and also ongoing wars and bring children in so they are connected and included,” he said.

In Sidbury, crowds and members of the Royal British Legion gathered at the war memorial on Sunday, before heading to St Giles’ church for the Remembrance Day service, which was very well attended.

To mark Armistice Day on Tuesday, November 11, people across the Sid Valley observed a two-minute silence at 11am.

Children from Sidbury Primary School gathered in St Giles’ churchyard to join villagers in paying their respects on Tuesday.

Remembrance Sunday was also commemorated in Salcombe Regis